Thursday 10 Jul 2014

July 10: Luke 10:17-20

Key Verse: Luke 10:17
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

Devotion:
It is difficult for most people to understand the power that was given to these people as they went out to proclaim the Gospel and to warn people of the urgency and certainty of the message Jesus gave them to go with. It was not a case of Jesus telling them to go out and be nice to people and encourage them, making friends and enjoying life; but rather being told to go boldly with the truth and the power of Christ to convert the sinners.

Jesus knew that they would have to rattle a few cages and that is one of the reasons why He gave them power to deliver the word. But the one thing that many people fail to notice is that this was only done because it was done in the name of Jesus Christ. If these people had gone out and done things, they would have been able to go far and do many good things. But because they were going forward and admitting that this was being done under the authority of Christ and in His name, they were able to go even further!

If we want to be able to share the Gospel to the fullest then we have to go forward in Christ’s name and not under our own steam. We should know from experience that we are just human beings and that we can only go as far as our own strength allows. But when we go forward in Christ’s name and under His power and might, we have a limitless supply to drawn on – so long as we know it comes from Christ and admit to all that it is Christ and not us.

Too many times I have seen people do great things and then be so puffed up that they thought to tell everyone that it was their own strength and wisdom that had allowed them to do these great things. If only people would admit that they have had help and give the glory to the people who deserve it, they would get on so much better. The same is true with God. If we do not admit that it is God through Christ and the Holy Spirit, then we are stealing God’s glory!

Points to Ponder:
Do you support people who take your glory?

Do you want God to support you?